No less than 26 folks have been killed and 93 others wounded when Israeli airstrikes hit a mosque and a faculty sheltering displaced folks within the Gaza Strip early on Sunday, the Hamas-run Gaza authorities media workplace mentioned.
Palestinian well being officers mentioned at the least one other 20 folks had been killed since Saturday night time in northern Gaza, after the military despatched tanks into areas there for the primary time in months and urged residents to depart.
The Israeli navy mentioned it had performed “exact strikes on Hamas terrorists” who have been working inside command and management facilities embedded in Ibn Rushd Faculty and the Shuhada al-Aqsa Mosque, within the space of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.
Hamas rejects accusations it makes use of civilian services comparable to faculties, hospitals and mosques for navy functions.
“The mosque has been right here for 20 years, and the neighborhood has displaced folks,” imam Ahmed Fleet mentioned as he retrieved Korans from the particles. “I used to be shocked when it was struck.”
The strikes got here because the conflict between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group approaches its first anniversary, and as Israel has been increasing its actions in Lebanon.
Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 folks and taking about 250 as hostages, in accordance with Israeli tallies.
Israel’s subsequent navy assault on Gaza has killed practically 42,000 Palestinians, in accordance with Gaza’s well being ministry.
It has additionally displaced practically the entire enclave’s 2.3 million folks, brought about a starvation disaster and led to genocide allegations on the World Court docket that Israel denies.
The Worldwide Committee of the Purple Cross urged all events to make sure all civilians have been protected.
“This can be a 12 months marked by heartbreak and unanswered questions. Households have been torn aside, with many family members nonetheless held towards their will. Tens of hundreds of individuals have been killed and hundreds of thousands have been displaced throughout the area,” it mentioned.
The Hamas-run Gaza authorities media workplace mentioned Israel had struck 27 homes, faculties and displacement shelters throughout Gaza up to now 48 hours.
